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VACANCY NOTICE NO: SSA-2025-HWR-HWC-S 25
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION:
28 September 2025
10 day(s) until closing deadline
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Consultants
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POST
CONSULTANCY: Hydrological and River Basin Modelling Training Development for Afghanistan
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GRADE
N/A
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DUTY STATION
Home-based, Remote
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COMMENCEMENT OF DUTY
To be determined
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NATURE OF APPOINTMENT
Variable (depending on needs of Department/Division)
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ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT
Hydrological Forecasting - Hydrology and Water Resources Services - Hydrology, Water and Cryosphere
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WMO is committed to achieving diversity and a balanced workforce. Applications are welcome from qualified women and men, including those with disabilities. The statutory retirement age after 1 January 2014 is 65. Pursuant to WMO Standing Instructions, the minimum age to be eligible for consideration for vacant positions is 18, and the maximum age must enable the candidate to serve for at least the term of the contract before reaching mandatory age of separation.
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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Project Officer, Hydrological and Water Resources Services, the incumbent will deliver operational hands-on training and support on hydrological modelling, tailored for both gauged and ungauged basins in Afghanistan. The expert will build on existing technical capacities such as model setup, calibration, water balance and water availability assessment, flood risk mapping and climate scenario-based impact analysis. Key tasks include:
1) Data Review and Pilot Basin Selection
- Review hydrological data in technical agencies and partners.
- Select at least one pilot basin representing common Afghanistan hydrological conditions.
2) Modelling and material development
3) Training on hydrological modelling fundamentals
- Introduction to hydrological modelling.
- Pre-processing of hydro-met and spatial datasets (using Python/R and GIS tools).
- Model installation (e.g. SWAT, HEC-RAS2D setup, and input preparation.
4) On-the-job training on advanced hydrological modelling application
- Model calibration/validation using observed data.
- Scenario modelling for:
a) Water balance: rainfall-runoff and groundwater interaction.
b) Water Availability: Simulating river flow, discharge, estimating water yield and water potential for a river basin and its corresponding sub-basins, and analysing per capita water status in a pilot river basin.
c) Flood simulation (riverine and flash floods): Identification of flood-prone zones, vulnerable areas, catchment-based flood and flash flood risk mapping.
d) Climate change scenarios to assess future water security or stress.
5) SOP development and follow-up mentorship between trainers and trainees
- Draft simplified SOPs for model setup, calibration, advanced application.
- Assignments and guidance to trainees
6) Final Reporting and trainee evaluation (10 days)
- Conduct pre/post assessments of participants and identify potential Trainer of Trainers candidates.
- Deliver a final report including:
a) Curriculum delivered and performance matrix.
b) Recommendations for sustaining model use.
c) Roadmap for integration into WRD workflows.
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QUALIFICATIONS
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Education
PhD or master's degree in Water Resources, Hydrology, Climate Science or related fields.
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Experience
- A minimum 10 years of experience in operational hydrological modelling
- Experience in GIS software (QGIS or ArcGIS) for spatial data analysis and hydrological model inputs preparation and well operation specially in Q or Arc SWAT for water balance, streamflow simulation and climate scenarios and flood risk mapping.
- Experience in programming languages (Python and/or R) for data processing, analysis and visualization.
- Prior experience in theoretical plus practical training and capacity building in developing countries.
- Experience in developing SOPs and technical materials.
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Other requirements
- Familiarity with Afghanistan or similar data-sparse environments preferred.
- Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, with the ability to adapt to diverse technical environments and project needs.
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Languages
Excellent knowledge of English (both oral and written) and working level language skills of the scope country (Dari, Pashto) would be advantageous. The language for all documents and reports as well as for all communication will be in English. A representative from WRD may assist with translation.
(Note: The official languages of the Organization are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.)
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Remote (India, with optional 3-day field visit, or visiting one of Indian water sources center if feasible.)
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Additional Information:
Proposed fee: 350-500 USD per day depending upon experience, knowledge and skills.
Focal point email for additional information: fkaya@wmo.int
Applications should be made online through the WMO e-recruitment system at https://erecruit.wmo.int/public.
Do not send your application via multiple routes. Only applicants in whom WMO has a further interest will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit a written test and/or an interview.
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| Date of issue of vacancy notice:
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E-RECRUITMENT
